Age-Related Differences in the Clinical Patterns of Ocular Graft-Versus-Host Disease

• Published in: Turk oftalmoloji gazetesi Vol. 52; no. 6; pp. 366 - 373
• Main Authors: Akova, Yonca Aydin, Altan-Yaycloglu, Rana, Donmez, Oya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Turkey Galenos Yayinevi Tic. Ltd 01-12-2022; Galenos Publishing; Galenos Yayinevi
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Comparative analysis; conjunctiva; Conjunctivitis; cornea; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cyclosporine - therapeutic use; dry eye; Dry Eye Syndromes - drug therapy; Graft vs Host Disease - diagnosis; graft-versus-host disease; Health aspects; Humans; Lubricant Eye Drops - therapeutic use; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; meibomian gland dysfunction; Ophthalmic drugs; Original; Stem cells; meibomian gland dysfunction; Conjunctiva; dry eye; cornea; graft-versus-host disease
• ISSN: 1300-0659; 2149-8695; 2149-8709; 2147-2661
• DOI: 10.4274/tjo.galenos.2022.50945

To evaluate age-related differences in clinical patterns of ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
In this cross-sectional study, patients diagnosed with ocular GVHD were evaluated in two groups: Group I included those aged 18 years or younger and Group II included those over 18 years of age. Demographic and clinical information were recorded and compared between the groups.
Forty eyes of 20 patients were included (11 patients were in Group I and 9 patients were in Group II). Follow-up was at least 6 months. All patients had burning, dryness, and foreign body sensation. Conjunctival hyperemia, cicatricial conjunctivitis, and limbal stem cell disease (LSCD) was observed more frequently in Group II. In addition to non-preserved artificial tears, cyclosporine A 0.05% (65%) and autologous/allogeneic serum eye drops (80%) were given and silicone plugs were inserted (28%). In Group I, an improvement in GVHD scoring and best corrected visual acuity was observed after 6 months of treatment (p<0.0005).
In ocular GVHD, conjunctival cicatrization and limbal stem cell deficiency might be observed more often in adults. Topical cyclosporine, autologous/allogenic serum drops, and punctal plugs are helpful in moderate or more severe cases. With early diagnosis and treatment, an improvement in clinical signs and visual acuity might be observed, particularly in younger patients.